Titanic’s unknown child: The critical role of the mitochondrial DNA coding region in a re-identification effort

Background:

• The RMS Titanic sank on April 15, 1912, resulting in the death of 1,497 people.
• The body of a young boy, initially unidentified, was recovered by the Mackay-Bennett and buried in Halifax, Nova Scotia, as the “Unknown Child.”

Initial Identification:

• The remains were exhumed in 2001 for identification.
• Initial mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis and dental examination identified the child as Eino Viljami Panula, a 13-month-old Finnish boy.

Re-examination and Findings:

• Further mtDNA analysis, including coding region sequencing, was conducted due to lingering doubts.
• The new analysis revealed that the remains matched the mtDNA profile of Sidney Leslie Goodwin, a 19-month-old English boy, rather than Eino Panula.

Methodology:

• The study used mtDNA hypervariable region 1 (HV1) and coding region single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to differentiate between potential matches.
• The analysis involved multiple laboratories and included contamination checks to ensure accuracy.

Conclusion:

• The remains were conclusively identified as those of Sidney Leslie Goodwin.
• The study highlights the importance of comprehensive mtDNA databases and the utility of coding region analysis in forensic identification.

Implications:

• The case demonstrates the critical role of advanced genetic techniques in resolving historical forensic cases.
• It underscores the need for extensive mtDNA databases to improve the accuracy of forensic identifications.